NC0089168_NC_WRC_Comments_20240923

RECEIVED
SEP 2 3 2024
DWR NPDES
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NCDEQ/
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: North Carolina Environmental Management Commission/NPDES Unit
FROM: David R.Cox,Supervisor
Habitat Conservation Division
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DATE: September 19,2024
SUBJECT: NPDES Wastewater Permit NC0089168-Vanceboro Quarry(Martin Marietta Materials),
Beaufort and Craven Counties,North Carolina.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission(NCWRC)reviewed the public notice
regarding impacts on fish and wildlife resources.The project area is located approximately seven miles
east of US Hwy 17 on the Beaufort-Craven County border between the communities of Wilmar,NC and
Blounts Creek,NC.The site is located on the drainage basin divide between the Neuse River and Tar-
Pamlico River Basins.Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Coastal Area
Management Act(G.S. 113A-100 through 113A-128),as amended,Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean
Water Act,as amended,the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act(48 Stat.401,as amended; 16 U.S.C.661 et seq.),the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act(FCMA),as amended(16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.),and
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act(16 U.S.C. 703-712 et seq.).
The applicant,Martin Marietta Materials,Inc,proposes to establish an open pit aggregate mine
Vanceboro Quarry)within an undeveloped area on the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River basins divide.To
facilitate open pit mining,the company proposes to discharge ground water into the headwaters of
Blounts Creek.The waters of Blounts Creek are classified C,Sw,NSW by the Environmental
Management Commission,are subject to the Tar-Pamlico Basin Buffer Rules,and are designated an
anadromous fish spawning area(AFSA)by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
The NCWRC is familiar with the project area and previous permit application submittals for the open pit
mine and freshwater discharge.Our agency previously provided comments during varied permit
application review processes(Cox 2012 January 18,Deaton 12 April 2013,and Cox 27 January 2014)
stating concern for the proposed freshwater discharges and the impacts the discharge would have on
Blounts Creek and its aquatic resources.Though over a decade has passed since these comments,our
concerns remain since the project proposal has not been significantly altered nor have previously stated
concerns been addressed.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh,NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
NPDES Permit
No.NC0089168 Page 2 September 29,2024
Blounts Creek is a deep-water creek with hardwood riparian wetlands that defines a black,swamp water
drainage.The headwaters of the system have very little current and exhibit an acidic water chemistry
environment.There are no point source discharges into Blounts Creek and the riparian areas are for the
most part undisturbed and naturally vegetated,except downstream the confluence with Herring Run
where some residential development occurs along the upland shore.The absence of discharges and intact
riparian buffers greatly reduce sedimentation and erosion in the upper reaches of the system.The mouth
of creek opens into Blounts Bay and the Pamlico River. The proximity of the Pamlico River and influence
of wind and not lunar tides,salinity levels in the creek vary seasonally providing habitat to freshwater,
estuarine,and marine aquatic species.
Blounts Creek supports numerous and varied fish species including striped bass(Morone saxatilis),
alewife(Alosa pseudoharengus),blueback herring(Alosa aestivalis),various shad species,largemouth
bass(Micropterus salmoides),yellow perch(Perca flavescens),white perch(Morone americana),black
crappie(Pomoxis nigromaculatus),chain pickerel(Esox niger),redfm pickerel(Esox americanus),
American eel(Anguilla rostrata),and sometimes red drum(Sciaenops ocellatus),southern flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma),and spotted seatrout(Cynoscion nebulosus).These fish utilize Blounts Creek
seasonally depending on water temperatures and water column parameters such as salinity.Due to the
variety of gamefish and other popularly sought fish,Blounts Creek is heavily used by recreational
fishermen.
Due to the historical use of Blounts Creek for spawning by blueback herring and other anadromous
species,the NCWRC is concerned that the significant freshwater discharge will adversely impact water
quality and habitat conditions within Blounts Creek.Concerns with the discharge and its effects on
herring spawning are not limited to increased water volumes and flows,but also changes in water
chemistry from the introduction of fresh water from the Castle Hayne aquifer. Input of flow from the
Castle Hayne aquifer is projected to change pH,salinity,DO,iron,manganese,and other elements thus
changing the subtle biogeochemical characteristics of water quality.Impacts to the system and monitoring
of any discharge should not only be considered for the lower reaches,but also the upper reaches of the
system,including upstream the NC Hwy 33 and Tripp Road bridges.Additional surveys,delineations,
measurements,and assessments may need to be done to adequately consider existing conditions,
including flow and stream morphology.Alternative discharge options should be investigated.
The NCWRC appreciates the opportunity to review and comment on this public notice.Please don't
hesitate to contact Maria Dunn at maria.dunn(aincwildlife.org or(252)495-5554 with comments,
questions,or additional information.